South Africa Slang Dictionary

South African slang is a rich, multilingual mix that borrows freely from the country's eleven official languages - isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sesotho and more - plus street languages like tsotsitaal and Sepitori. It's the language of the townships, the taxi rank, kwaito and amapiano, and everyday Mzansi life from Joburg to Cape Town to Durban. Words like eish, howzit, lekker, sharp sharp and yebo are woven into how South Africans speak every day. Explore the community-built dictionary of South African slang below - and add the words you know.

Unozethe is what Xhosa people say to refer to someone who is extremely annoying.
Example

Yhu unezothe ke la bhuti.

That man is extremely annoying.

MXhosa 05 August 2021
To mize is to overlook/ignore something or someone intentionally.
Example

Girls will mize you when you are broke!

Varsity Dude 08 August 2021
Thuso Phala is a popular dance move that was first started by the South African soccer player named Thuso Phala.
Example

I'm learning the Thuso Phala dance.

Varsity Dude 08 August 2021
Yt pipo is a popular term on social media that refers to "White People"
Example

I'm not surprised, akere it's Yt pipo.

Varsity Dude 08 August 2021
Is the slang term for Ga-Rankuwa, a township in Tshwane/Pitori.
Example

I'm coming from Rankuwa.

Mr Trends 08 August 2021
Idlozi is a Zulu term for Ancestor.
Plural: Amadlozi
Example

I'm grateful for idlozi lami

Skhokho 09 August 2021
A kasi term for a club or a party or a place where a party takes place
Example

Asambe siye enkwarini

Kelebogile dlamini 09 August 2021
A soccer skill/move where a player puts the ball in between another player's legs.
Example

Did you see that shibobo from Messi?

DRex 14 August 2021
Plural: Amabhinca
Ibhinca is a Zulu person who practices their traditional Zulu culture, including wearing the traditional attire and listening to Maskandi
Example

I had to act like I love Maskandi cause I was drinking with ibhinca.

Mr Trends 23 August 2021
Iqaba is a Nguni term for a barbarian or a person believed to be uncivilised or uncultured.

Plural Amaqaba
Example

They used to call me iqaba because I come from the villages.

Mr Trends 23 August 2021
A Skrr Skrr way of referring to a Sangoma.
Example

No one:



Skrr Skrr kid: I went to see a Bone Thug today cause y'all be trippin.

Chief 25 August 2021
Nelly M is the name that the recent generation / Social Media has given to former South African president, Nelson Mandela.
Example

I miss Nelly M, things would be better if he was still alive.

Varsity Dude 27 August 2021

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